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Coughing and incontinence

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Posted 5/29/2008 2:51 PM (GMT 0)
I posted a week or more ago that I had a day without pads, but was concerned about stress incontinence.

I am still wearing, other than that one day, very small pads during the day...for those few little leaks.....but yesterday my allergies kicked in and I coughed HARD many times.  As I expected, I also leaked everytime I coughed.

Any tips on improving this particular variety of incontinence, other than the usual kegels?

Thanks in advance.

Posted 5/29/2008 2:54 PM (GMT 0)
I have learned to instinctively "squeeze before you sneeze" or cough for that matter. If you can stop and start your stream, you should be able to ward off stress incontinence. Also, if you allow your bladder to overfill, you will find it even harder to avoid these mishaps. Hope this helps.
Randy
Posted 5/29/2008 5:44 PM (GMT 0)

Thanks, Randy.

Yes, I can stop my stream...and since reading your post have had SOME success with using that technique with the coughing, although it is still a work in progress.

My coughing is still here today, so looks as if I will get lots of practice.

Thanks again for the advice.  This type of help is what makes this forum a great support group for someone like me.

DanMan

Posted 5/29/2008 6:19 PM (GMT 0)
Hey DanMan,

It takes practice but eventually I did the sqeeze thing enough times so that now it is automatic. Practice starting and stopping the stream in the bathroom helps a lot. At first I had trouble distinguishing the various signals from down there. I couldn't tell the difference between "bladder getting full" and "get in there right now!"

Our bodies are amazingly adaptable. I guess its muscle memory or something but now it feels just like it did before surgery. Even orgasm with a partially filled bladder is dry. The final exam for continence is when you can walk, cough and pass gas with full bladder without leaking.

You are doing great...

Jim
Posted 5/29/2008 11:02 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Danman.

I did very well with coughing and sneezing. But, when I had a sinus cold a few weeks ago . I blew my nose and forgot to squeeze. This was a new sensation for me because I had not had to blow my nose since the surgery. Learn something new every day with this.

Mika
Posted 5/30/2008 12:54 AM (GMT 0)
Biofeedback physical therapy on identifying the right muscles and tips on coughing, standing up, walking without leaking were very helpful to me. I would recommend it to anyone with a leaking problem.
Posted 5/30/2008 3:26 PM (GMT 0)
I've been in the habit for quite some time now of "tightening up" before coughing, sneezing or blowing my nose, and have no problems with leaking. Recently I found out that depending on how full my bladder is, I can be relaxed while sneezeing and not have any leaks. My guess is that the muslces have just gotten stronger over the past year due to Kegeling, running and doing the elliptical.
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